Merritt joins AHIP as executive VP of public affairs

David Merritt has been named executive VP of public affairs and strategic initiatives at America's Health Insurance Plans.

Merritt replaces Erik Komendant, who was interim executive VP of public affairs.

In his new role, Merritt will lead advocacy planning and oversee the association's conferences and events.

Previously, Merritt was managing director of Luntz Global Partners, a communications strategy firm. He led the firm's healthcare, political and policy initiatives. He also was the leading fundraiser and presidential campaign adviser to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. In 2008, he was a health policy adviser for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) during his presidential campaign.

Jeff Brickman has been named president and CEO of Central Maine Healthcare, based in Lewiston. He succeeds Peter Chalke, who announced his retirement in January. Chalke has served in the top job since 2002 and has been with Central Maine Healthcare for 33 years.

Brickman most recently served as a group president for Centura Health, Englewood, Colo., overseeing its Mountains and North Denver division, as well as president and CEO of

St. Anthony Hospital, Lakewood, Colo.

Before joining Centura, Brickman was senior VP of Provena Health in Illinois and the regional CEO of two hospitals and an ambulatory network in Joliet, Ill.

Michael Saad has been appointed VP and CIO at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, after serving in the roles on an interim basis for four months. He replaces Eileen Clark, who left in January to join Charleston (W.Va.) Area Medical Center as VP and CIO.

Saad, 40, most recently served as a senior consultant at TrustPoint Solutions, an information technology consulting firm in Atlanta. He previously was VP and CIO of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

Steve Barron is retiring as senior VP of operations of Dignity Health Southern California after 17 years with the system. He will remain in the role until October.

Barron, 64, has led strategic direction for six Dignity hospitals since July 2011 while he was also president of St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino, Calif. He joined the San Francisco-based system in 1999, then known as Catholic Healthcare West, as president of St. Bernardine. He remained in the role for 15 years.

Steve Geidt is retiring as CEO of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif., effective in September. Marcia Manker, CEO of Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., will replace Geidt and hold the top job at both facilities, which are part of MemorialCare Health System.

Geidt, 65, has been with Saddleback for 35 years. He began his career at the hospital as an assistant administrator and was promoted to senior VP in 1988. He was named CEO in 2002. He plans to serve on the board of MemorialCare Medical Foundation after his retirement. Manker, 55, has been CEO at Orange Coast Memorial since 2002.